J. J. Dewey

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J. J. Dewey at a gathering in McCall, Idaho.

Joseph John Dewey (born February 6, 1945 in Silverton, Oregon) is a U.S. New Age writer living in Boise, Idaho. His books, The Immortal, which is comprised of volumes I and II, and The Lost Key of the Buddha, and Eternal Words, tell the story of a man named Joe, who bears extremely strong resemblence to the author, Joe's wife Elizabeth, and Joe's interactions with John the Apostle. John uses the Socratic method to teach Joe one Key of Knowledge per book. A Key of Knowledge is a word that is one of twelve spiritual principles. According to Dewey, the books "may or may not be true. It is up to the reader to decide."

Dewey has published Molecular Relationships and The Gathering of Lights and hints at having other unpublished books.

In addition to his books, Dewey maintains a website of his writings on various New Age subjects. He has attracted a number of online students, who refer to themselves as Keysters.

Dewey was formerly a member of the Mormon Church but was excommunicated in 1978 for his many unorthodox beliefs including (but not limited to) reincarnation and progression from lower kingdoms to higher kingdoms; all of which are contrary to the established Mormon teachings. He claims to have broken none of the rules that would warrant excommunication. However, knowingly teaching doctrine that is contrary to established Mormon teachings commonly warrants excommunication.

Dewey is a father of seven children, who were raised almost entirely by their mother (his first wife, who is a faithful member of the Mormon Church and was introduced to its teachings through the missionary efforts of Dewey while on his Mormon mission in England). Though Dewey wanted to be a more active part in the raising of his children, the completely contrary beliefs held by Dewey and his former wife eventually tore the family apart. The disagreements led to a tragic divorce (which was about 4 years after his excommunication). The woman that Dewey brought into the Mormon Church stayed true to its teachings while Dewey himself did not.

Dewey is also a great-great grandson of one of the first prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wilford Woodruff, who was the prophet that received the revelation which ended the Mormon practice of polygamy.

Years before Dewey was excommunicated, he was a student of the Prophet Onias. Onias received multiple revelations about Dewey, Dewey's friend Wayne, and two of Dewey's cousins, which are contained in Onias's Second Book of Commandments.^[1] Onias is the leader of a polygamist breakoff of the Mormon Church. Although Dewey is a former student of a polygamist, he is currently critical of polygamy and has never practiced polygamy. Dewey believes that polygamy is not the highest order of Matrimony as was taught by the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith. Dewey believes that polygamy got "twisted in understanding and practice."^[2]

Dewey has since remarried. His current wife is much more supportive to his beliefs.

[edit] References

^ Crossfield, Robert C. (2005). The Second Book of Commandments. Salem, UT: United Order Publications, 31.
^ Allan, Sterling D. (2003-08-03). 588-Page Book of Mormon in Alphabetics, Section 4: Dewey. Retrieved on 2006-03-17.